Japan’s Emperor Akihito was admitted to the University of Tokyo Hospital on November 6, 2011, presenting with a fever and cold-like symptoms which were suspected to be bronchitis. Although hospitalization was said to be more a precaution than a necessity, due in part to the Emperor’s age and medical history.
Emperor Akihito was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2002 and underwent surgery the following year with a good prognosis. The Emperor will turn 78-years-old next month, on December 23, 2011. He is the 125th Emperor of Japan, succeeded his father, the late-Emperor Hirohito, in 1989.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011, doctors from the University of Tokyo Hospital reported that the Emperor’s fever was still considerably high and he was suffering from a loss of appetite. Fearing the risk of bronchitis, the medical staff has the Emperor on antibiotics and they have not released information on when Emperor Akihito will be discharged. The doctors have said that even if the Emperor is released from the hospital within a week, they strongly urge him to rest for the time being, at least until next month.
Emperor Akihito has also had a history of stress-related medical conditions, including irregular heartbeat and gastrointestinal bleeding. For the time being, the Emperor’s duties will be temporarily fulfilled by the Crown Prince Naruhito while the he is ill.
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